Ontario's Electricity System Can Take the Heat

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Ontario's Electricity System Can Take the Heat

During a summer of record-setting temperatures, Ontario's electricity system continues to meet demand and keep the lights on in homes and businesses across the province.

In July, Ontario's electricity system experienced the highest monthly summer demand since August 2007. The province's system also saw peak daily demand reach 24,600 megawatts. Careful infrastructure planning and the successful integration of many clean energy generation and transmission projects onto the provincial electricity grid have helped the province stay on top of electricity demand while phasing out coal-fired generation by 2014.

Since 2003, Ontario has brought more than 10,000 megawatts of new and refurbished clean energy online from sources like wind, solar and bio-energy. That's enough power to meet the needs of more than 2 million homes during the hot summer months.

Strengthening Ontario's electricity infrastructure is an important part of the McGuinty government's plan to build a modern, clean, reliable electricity system. This will ensure the province has the electricity it needs to power our homes, schools, hospitals and our economy today and for future generations.

Quick Facts

Since 2003, the province has upgraded 5,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution lines.

Ontario is upgrading approximately 80 per cent of its energy fleet while also investing in upgrading and sustaining the power grid.

Ontario has about 500 megawatts of solar PV capacity online and has more than 1,600 megawatts of additional solar PV capacity under contract. This is expected to produce enough electricity to power over 250,000 homes.

Eliminating coal-fired electricity in Ontario is the single largest greenhouse gas reduction measure in North America.

In 2011, more than 80 per cent of the power generated in Ontario came from clean sources of energy such as water, nuclear and renewables.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“We are moving forward with our plan to build a modern, clean, reliable electricity system that Ontarians can count on. We are increasing our supply of renewable energy, building a smarter grid and ensuring cleaner air for future generations.”